It is regrettable that it is necessary to mention that some leaders in the martial arts “invented” the origin of their art, which is not proper or reasonable, neither for their own honor nor as an introduction for their students.

The importance and value of Tang Soo Do as a martial art is deeply ingrained in the tradition of Korea and has a long and special history. The author established the school called the Moo Duk Kwan about 30 years ago to develop and promote the special art of Tang Soo Do. At that time the Moo Duk Kwan laid the foundation of present-day theories and practices in the martial arts. It is essential to acknowledge that the most important aspect of the art is the basic ideology upon which it is structured, and to fully appreciate Tang Soo Do, it must be understood that it has a national origin in the history of martial arts and is based upon scientific theory.

At the present time, rockets fly to the moon. The rocket evolved from the Wright Brothers’ airplane, which can be traced to the theories of Leonardo Da Vinci. It appears that rockets were developed through difficult endeavors and studies over many years.

In the world of martial arts, our state of the art in the present is based on history of the past. We cannot contemplate our eternal development without basing the present on the past. The history of martial arts has been a crucial subject throughout human history, and it is directly related to all human life. This is why we should understand martial arts history in detail.

The history of Tang Soo Do is perpetual. It is difficult to indicate where it was started or who was the first person who originally practiced it. However, we can deduce from the basic principles that historians have asserted that Tang Soo Do began with our earliest ancestors.

The latest anthropological “finds” indicate that “man” may have existed as long as 1,000,000 years ago. Our original art was probably started by our ancestors at that time. Early man had to fight instinctively to live, using only bare hands, feet and body. Those were the only weapons at that time. There was no difference between what our ancestors and small animals did to defend themselves. Each had their own instinctive factors, like a protective coloring, an offensive odor, or some other defense for keeping alive. It is likely that our fighting art with bare hands, feet and body is similar to the actions of our ancestors. So our art is an inheritance from our first ancestors. It is the beginning of all of the present martial arts and physical education.

In Korea, at the time of the Silla Dynasty, we can assume that martial arts were studied by General Kim Yu and the Hwa Rang Do. This is illustrated in mural paintings and sculptures of that time. However, this also is not substantiated in history books. To the best of the author’s knowledge, the martial arts did not originate in any individual country; it is for all men throughout the world. There are only differences depending upon the place, time period, and the ways of learning, according to the development of man’s wisdom at that place and time. According to the process of development in the past, we can evaluate who has developed martial arts in the right way and most systematically.

It is the author’s desire at this time to establish a systematic history with substantial scientific study. From this background, it is our mission to develop effective martial arts for the future; to hand down to posterity martial arts with a strong foundation based on an established origin. For the convenience of systematically establishing this origin after a long period of study, the author divided the historical development of the martial arts into the following 4 steps:

(1) The age of instinctive action:a. Historically it is the primitive age.b. It is about 1,000,000 years, if the history of mankind is 1,000,000 years old.c. As martial arts relate to mankind, it started from the first ancestor.d. In the process of development of the martial arts, it seems to be that the way our ancestors lived was not much different from the other animals at that time.

Our ancestors used their Do Soo Kong Kwon (bare hands and body) as their only weapons instinctively for self defense against wild animals. Also, they sometimes attacked others to get their food to sustain their lives. It is difficult to say that they acted with any purpose and wisdom of their future. Their activities at that time were not conscious activity as today; but it must be true that the activity in itself has something to do with the present Tang Soo Do, and the results of those activities appeared to be martial or military. The period lasted from 800,000 to 900,000 years.

( 2) The age of conscious action:a. Historically, we call this the Stone Age.b. The period started about 100,000 years ago and continued for about 90,000 years.c. Geographically, the martial arts originated mainly in the Asiatic continent and migrated to the European area as mankind slowly moved to that area from Central Asia.d. Men established martial arts according to their own tradition and style, depending on their leaders.e. The development of the martial arts was according to the development of man’s wisdom, as was their advancement from primitive or instinctive action to thoughtful action.

Man advanced from instinctive actions to action with purpose for his improved effectiveness against an enemy. Also, man started to be able to use other instruments such as stone, wood, et cetera, at that time. The above two steps have no historical confirmation. I mention them to give a perspective to the martial arts from its infancy, particularly since I am convinced that such an historical progression of the martial arts has a basis in the principles of human life and natural form.

(3) The age of early systematic development:a. Historically, the Iron Age. It was the time of an ancient and a very civilized period which started 10,000 years ago and continued for 7,500 years.b. Geographically, man developed throughout Asia into a “golden” era. It was an age of systematic and conscious action (especially civilizations of India and China in the Orient, and Egypt and Babylonia in the West).c. All of mankind did use martial arts, but were limited by their different systems of society. The martial arts were employed conscientiously and systemically. We can guess that a few people established systematic martial arts after they realized its value, but we cannot confirm it because there is no written historical evidence concerning this.d. Developmentally, the martial arts were in an age of early systematic action, and there were amazing developments in man’s wisdom and his civilization compared to earlier periods.

People started using iron and copper in their daily lives. When Hang Jae was king in China, there was already an alphabet, and present democracy originated from that time. When we see the above in martial arts, we must not content ourselves with blind physical action. Tang Soo Do was well developed at that time.

(4) The age of systematic action:a. Historically, it was the time of Ancient Greece and Rome to the present, starting about 2,600 years ago.b. Geographically, there are countries such as China, India, Korea, Okinawa, Japan, Thailand, et cetera, in the Orient that have a history of martial arts. We can also include Rome and Greece in the West at that time.c. Human achievements included successful individuals in the arts, such as Chang Sam Bong, Chang Song Kei and Dal Ma Dai Sa from China, Yi Ui Moon, Korean king Ui Jong, Bera Kuros and Hwudenus in Greece.d. The martial arts progressed during this period into the age of systematic action with little confusion. Many of the present day schools developed their various systems during this period of 2 ,600 years, especially in the Orient. That is why this time was the most important for the martial arts. We have substantial evidence tracing the development of martial arts throughout this period.

These historical writings describe the traditions of this period. This is the time period for students to develop substantial knowledge of the history of martial arts. There is much we can learn for the future. For example, there was “Panguracion” which was practiced in Greece about 2,000 years ago, at a time when Greek civilization was highly developed. Panguracion prohibited only biting and putting the opponent’s eyes out in their games. Except for those prohibitions, there were no rules and regulations, so they used any means of fighting in their competition. In the Orient, there was evidence that proved Tang Soo Ki (technique) existed about 2,000 years ago, when Ye Jae of the Han country was the 4th king of China.

There are also some traces to show the existence of martial arts about 2,000 years ago in India, which is one of the points of origin of Oriental culture. In India at that time, they put milk on a rock and practiced conditioning their hands, similar to modern “iron palm.”

In Egypt, there are no traces evident which would indicate the existence of martial arts, but that is an area to study in the future.

KOREA

A.The Kokuryo Dynasty (37 to 668 A.D.)Along the streams of the Aproh River there are tombs dating back about 1,500 years. The walls of these tombs show murals of Tang Soo Do at that time. There is no record the author knows of which indicates the state of the art at that time.

B. The Silla Dynasty (668 to 935 A.D.)The art of Tang Soo Do is present in various Buddhist sculptures of that period along with the “Thirteen Shaolin Monks” ( whose names we do not know, but who practiced the martial arts), Dal Ma Dai Sa, Mo Ryun Dai Sa (two well-known Buddhist monks who practiced martial arts), as well as the presence of the So Rin (Shaolin) temple in China. Many thousands of Buddhists studied Tang Soo Do at that time, a subject worthy of considerable study.

C. The Ko Ryo Dynasty (935 to 1392 A.D.)At this time there are historical books such as the 18 volumes containing the ancient history of Ko Ryo and the 14 volumes of Yul Chun, which shows the popularity of Tang Soo Do about 800 years ago. Here are some parts of those books that mentioned Tang Soo Do:

At the period of the 16th king, Ui Jong in the Ko Ryo dynasty age, there was a man whose name was Ui Moon Yi. He was a favorite with King Ui Jong because he was very good in Soo Bahk Ki (technique). He was Dai Jung, which means commander of the military. Later in this period, during the time of the 19th king, Myong Jong, there was a rebel army that attacked the kingdom and which was led by Kim Po Dang. Ui Moon Yi said that, “There is nothing to worry about, so long as I am alive.” After the war was won, many people said that “it is only due to Ui Moon’s skills.”

According to the record of the 36th volume of the old history books of Ko Ryo, about 600 years ago, period of the 30th king, during the Kyi Sa year King Choong Hye made a trip to Sang Shun Jung and enjoyed seeing Tang Soo Do demonstrated.

D. The Yi Dynasty (1392 to 1907 A.D.)According to the 32nd volume of the Korean history book “Tae Jong Sil Rok,” King Sang Wang was born in July of the Byong Sin (about 500 years ago). The king had a big party attended by his son and other relatives. They enjoyed seeing soldiers performing in a Tang Soo Do demonstration.

Other books besides Tae Jong Sil Rok give evidence of the practice of Tang Soo Do during the Yi Dynasty. An especially important and useful book was the Moo Yei Do Tong Ji (Military Arts Manual). It was the culmination of several earlier publications or scrolls where an original description of six techniques was added to until its final content of 24 techniques was published. These techniques were derived from various schools of martial artistry. The presence of this book during the Yi Dynasty establishes the existence of Tang Soo Do beyond any reasonable doubt.

Training in Tang Soo Do varied in technique from one place to another, depending on the method, style, period and location. Archery, for example, was most popular under King Se Jo, 7th monarch of that period. Later, during the reign of King Sun Jo, the book “Chun Bo” was written describing the techniques of Gun Bong (basic stick art) by Han Kyo. In addition, the “Hyun Rung Ji” (Name of Book) described Sip Pal Ki (18 techniques) for the Juk Chang Tchang (the long spear). Such study became popular and the name Sip Pal Ki was used most commonly to refer to the martial arts. Later in this same period, a book of 24 techniques of Ki Yee (the art of horsemanship) was added to Sip Pal Ki. Ja Be was another term commonly used to refer to Tang Soo Do. By and large, despite the presence of scrolls, books and statuary, the arts were handed down by word of mouth to the present day.

Towards the end of the Yi Dynasty, a style of fighting developed called Tae Kyun, which employed only foot techniques. (Tae Kyun is not related to the current Tae Kwon Do). There are still people who practice the techniques and who have seen Tae Kyun used by older people in Korea. However, Tae Kyun has never been accepted as a true martial art because it lacked mental discipline. Subsequently, it was never recorded as was Sip Pal Ki. Tae Kyun was a form of street fighting, and it developed a bad reputation as a fighting skill for criminal use. The culture of Tae Kyun remains only through a legend called “The Evening Story” which is still handed down by word of mouth.

Tae Kyun developed from ancient Tang Soo Do, and modern Tang Soo Do has benefited by incorporating the superb foot techniques into its style.

The 18 “techniques” of Sip Pal Ki (also known as Sip Pal Ban, or Sip Pal Byong Ki) refer to 18 military weapons, which are listed below:

The various arts of Korea were practiced to the end of the Yi Dynasty (1907). The study of these arts halted during the Japanese occupation of Korea , ending in 1945. At that time, the author established the modern Tang Soo Do sty!e under the Moo Duk Kwan school as a continuation of the native traditional martial arts.

At the end of the Japanese occupation (August 15, 1945), the following schools were in existence:1. Moo Duk Kwan (headed by Hwang Kee, in Seoul)2. Yon Moo Kwan (headed by Chun Sang Sup, in Seoul)3. YMCA Kwon Pup (headed by Pyong In Yun, in Seoul)4. Chung Do Kwan (headed by Won Kuk Lee, in Seoul) and5. Song Moo Kwan (headed by No Byong Jik, at Kai Sung).

By the start of the Korean War (June 25, 1950) a number of schools had emerged and had formed new organizations listed below.

Korean Tang Soo Do incorporated as Korean Soo Bahk Do Association and registered with the Korean Government as the Korean traditional Martial Art on June 30, 1960.Chairman of the Korean Tang Soo Do association from beginning to present time: Hwang Kee

The Korean Tae Soo Do Association incorporated and joined with the Korean Athletic Association (a sport body) in January, 1964. Korean Tae Soo Do Association changed its name to Korean Tae Kwon Do Association in 1965. Chairmen of Tae Kwon Do Association from its establishment to the present time: Che Myung Sin, Choi Hong Hee, No Byong Jik, Kim Young Che and Kim Un Yong.

CHINAA. The Age of Imperial Unification (about 5,000 years ago)By legend and oral tradition there were only traces which show the existence of martial arts practice.

B. The age of Chun Chu (about 2,700 years ago)During this period the Chu Empire was destroyed in Korea. The Monarch, Kin Moo, moved the capital city to Hyop So Sung in Northern China, where the Chu monarchs ruled for 350 years. Yoo Wang, the 12th king in the dynasty, was killed by So Yoong and the capital was moved again to the City of Nah Up on the Yellow River.

China at that time was composed of many small kingdoms, as was Europe during the medieval period. The strongest of the monarchs fought each other continuously for some 300 years. Those kings included Hwan Kong from Jae, Moon Kong from Jin, Jang Wang from Tcho, Boo Cha from 0 Wang, and Koo Chun from Wol Wang.

Tang Soo Do was widespread during this period because of the great social instability. It is recorded in the Moo Yoi Do Bo Tong Ji, and further substantiated in a book called Joa Chum that King Moon Kong from Jin practiced Soo Bakh Do in his dreams. King Moon Kong and King Sung Wang are the first individuals recorded as having practiced Tang Soo Do some 3,600 years ago.

The author wishes to introduce more historical data to help the reader better understand who those men were who were recorded as Tang Soo Do practitioners.

Kung Kong was the king of the Jin Kingdom about 2,600 years ago. He was one of the 5 supreme rulers in the period of Chun Chu. He was born in the capital of Jin Kingdom as the second son of King Hyon Kong and his given name was Jung E. Hyon. Kong was the lord of the Kang castle in the Jin Kingdom. He had two sons; the first of which was Sin Seing and the second, Jung E. The first son, Sin Seing, was killed in a plot contrived by his father’s favorite mistress, Lee Hee. When Jung E learned about this plot he escaped and went into hiding, fearing the same fate.Six years later, Hyon Kong died from an illness. The people in the Jin country wanted Jung E to return as their king. However, he was afraid to do so because Lee Hee and her assassins were still alive at that time. Again, he escaped to the Jae Kingdom through the Wi Kingdom and hid instead of returning to reign according to his people’s will.King Hwan Kong of the Jae Kingdom treated Jung E very well and let him marry his beautiful daughter. Hwan Kong recognized his talents and sympathized with his situation.After King Hwan Kong died, Jung E remained in the Jae country. Jung E, Moon King, Cho Soi and Ho lyon worried about their mother’s land, the Jin Kingdom. One day, they brought Jung E, who was very drunk and asleep, to the Tcho Kingdom through the Cho, Song and Chung Kingdoms. When they entered the Tcho Kingdom, Sung Wang the king was going to treat them well, but one of his generals, Ja Ok, was doubtful of them and planned to kill them. Jung E became aware of the dangerous plan early and he narrowly avoided the situation, escaping to the Chin Kingdom. Muk Kong, the king of the Chin, treated him hospitably. By this time, people of the Jin Kingdom knew that Jung E was in the Chin Kingdom and Lee Hee, his father’s favorite mistress, was dead. So the people of the Jin Kingdom entreated Juk Kong of the Chin Kingdom that they wanted Jung E as their king. Muk Kong sent Jung E back to the Kang capital of the Jin Kingdom, with a large escort. When Jung E returned to his kingdom, he was the king. After he finished his long travels he never forgot that the people in the Tcho Kingdom were going to kill him when he was there, so he always hoped for the opportunity to get revenge against them. After all, the Tcho Kingdom was attached to the same area as the Jal Kingdom.Jung E waited for his opportunity and attacked the Tcho Kingdom. He overcame them completely. This was the beginning of a long period of hostilities between these two kingdoms. The relationship between Jung E and Sung Wang worsened and they became mortal enemies, fighting each other as often as they could. It was recorded in books of the period that they fought each other in their dreams, using Soo Bahk. It was during the Chu Dynasty that the concept of “Do” (way) as a philosophy of the martial arts appeared. The relationship between Soo Bahk and Do is worthy of further study.

C. The Period before the Han Dynasty (223 to 206 B.C.)According to the ‘Moo Yei Do Bo Tong Ji”, Soo Bahk Ki was practiced during the period of Chun Chu which preceded the Han period.

The 10th king, Yei Jae of the period prior to the Han Dynasty, had great interest in Tang Soo Do, the martial art.

D. The Period of the Han Dynasty (206 B.C. to 220 A.D.)According to Kam Lyon Soo (his nickname is Kun Kwan), there were Soo Bahk Do tests during military examinations at that time.

E. The period of the Yang Dynasty (220 to 618 A.D.)According to legend, Dal Ma Dai Sa, the Buddhist priest, “invented” the martial arts. This was related in an earlier chapter.

F. The Period of the Tang Dynasty (618 to 907 A.D.)According to the Chinese history book, Ho Sun Pyong (), Lee Do Ja () and Lyun Yi Hyong () were known as experts of the art at that time. (The “Moo Yei Do Bo Tong Ji” showed us that many monks in the So Rim Temple practiced Soo Bahk Ki at that time).

The author could not find any relationship between Dal Ma Dai Sa and Soo Bahk Ki, which Dal Ma Dai Sa was supposed to have taught the monks directly at that time. However, many people practiced the art during the period of the Tang Dynasty.

According to the monk Myo Ryan Dai Sa, there was a famous man named Ho Sun Pyong who was called the founder of Tae Kuk Kwon (Tai-Chi Chuan) by many people during the period of the Tang Dynasty. Ho Sun Pyong came from the Hyi Joo Hyon area, and his height was over 2 meters (6 feet). His beard was long enough to touch the ground, and he ran so fast he appeared to fly.He sold wood in the market place which he brought from the mountains. He always muttered to himself when he went to market to sell wood in the morning. He drank liquor, and when the sun set, he asked to sleep in anybody’s house, anywhere. He would go into beautiful deep mountains through heavy clouds to hide himself and he used to visit “Lee Bahk” (), the famous poet of the Tang Kingdom. He would sing the poem about Mong Sun Roo (a place of rest) and practice Tae Kuk Kwon (Tai-Chi). Basically he practiced “37” from which was the origin of the “37 Shik” (name of a Tai-Chi form). Some people called it “Chang Bong” (long stick) (). He practiced constantly without rest.Again, according to the monk Myo Ryan Dai Sa, there was a man named Lee Do Ja (), who was born near the Yellow River during the period of the Tang Dynasty. A martial artist of some repute, he originally came from the An Hyi () family. Legend says that he lived for a thousand years. During the period of the Myong () Kingdom, he lived at a mountain named Moo Dang San Nam An Kung, and he never ate cooked food. He would eat a few cups of barley.

G. The Period of the Song Dynasty (907 to 1126 A.D.)During the Song Dynasty both Soo Bahk Ki and other martial arts developed in many ways and in many different styles.

The Tang Dynasty period abounds with legends of famous warriors who practiced Tang Soo Do. Below are a few of their stories:According to the monk Myo Ryan Dai Sa, Chang Sam Soo’s name was Chun Ii or Kun Sil (). His alias was Won Won, and his pen name was Sam Soo Ja () or Kon Yang (). He came from the Yo Dong Ui Joo area, and his position was Jin Sa (Mayor) in government service. His appearance was different from others. He was born with big ears and round eyes. His beard was rough, and he looked like a turtle. His stomach looked like that of a crane and his height was 2 meters. He always wore shaggy clothes and a black coat worn by Buddhist monks both in summer and winter. People gave him the nickname “Rap Tap Do In” (one who is oblivious to all things except his art). He ate enough food for many people and sometimes he didn’t eat at all for many days. He never answered when someone asked about techniques of the art, but he was very happy to answer and talk all day when someone asked about Kyong So () Chinese classics.But once the 7 king, Hye Jong, wanted to see him, but he refused his request. Another time, he fought against 500 soldiers when his area was attacked by the Kum Kingdom. A few hundred people from the Hyop So district studied under him.Another translation about Chang Sam Soo:According to the “Myong Sa Bang Sa Jon”, Chang Sam Soo’s name was Chun Ii or Kun Bo, and his pen name was Sam Soo. He came from the Yo Dong Ui Joo district. He also had another pen name, Chang Tap Trop. His figure was like that of a turtle and his stomach resembled a crane’s. His eyes were round, and his beard was rough. He always wore a shaggy Chang Sam (a black coat worn by Buddhist monks), and he used to eat gallons of food in one sitting or sometimes he didn’t eat for a few months. His actions were good, and his behavior was exemplary for a martial artist. His technique was very advanced. He built and lived in a small cave. When King Tae Jo heard about him, he tried to find Chang Tap Ryop but couldn’t.

Other translations about Chang Sam Soo:

According to the statement of the “Han Chil Soo Ryu Ko”, Chang Sun’s (Chang Sam Soo) real name was Kun Bo and his alias was Chun Ii, and his special alias was Hyon. People during that period called him Chang Tae Ryop. He tied his long hair down in back. His face was red and his stomach was big.Another translation:

Chang Sam Soo taught his techniques of art to Jin Joo Dong () who lived in the On Joo district . Jin Joo Dong made known his techniques of art to Chang Song Kye (). According to the monk, Mc Ryan Dai Sa, Chang Song Kye was a pure Confucianist. He was very humble and people always thanked him after learning techniques. Some monks from the So Rim temples visited Chang Song Kye after they heard about him. They were going to test Chang Song Kye to see how good he was. One monk jumped and kicked Chang Song Kye while they were drinking. Chang Song Kye lifted his arm and blocked it. The monk who attacked him went flying like a ball and fell down. The rest of the monks ran away after they saw this amazing demonstration.

Chang Song Kye had taught Yup Kei Mee (), who had lived in the Sa Myong () area. Yup Kei Mee’s alias was Gun Chun (). He also taught Wang Hwang, and Key Hwa Nam (). Among these three, Gun Chun was his best student. Gun Chun had taught Oh Kye San (), Joo Woon Chun (), and Son Kye Cha (). Chang Song Kye was a very knowledgeable person of good character and was technically excellent. According to the history books, Chang Song Kye had lived in a later period than Chang Sam Soo, but the author believes that Chang Song Kye actually lived earlier than Chang Sam Soo, either in the period of the Tang Dynasty or at the end of the Song Dynasty.Another martial artist, Dan Sa Nam (), learned from Chun Kan Nea , and taught Wang Chung Nam (). Here is the story of how Wang Chung Nam had received lessons from Dan Sa Nam.

Dan Sa Nam had practiced secretly by himself and did not readily teach his techniques to others. He lived next door to Wang Chung Nam, so Wang Chung Nam had learned a little by watching through a slightly open door.

Dan Sa Nam’s son was injured one day and he had great difficulty getting money to cure his son’s illness. Wang Chung Nam paid all the medical expenses and helped him after he heard his sad story. Dan Sa Nam was impressed by his act of kindness and taught him everything he knew.

Wang Chung Nam trained under Dan Sa Nam very hard, day and night, but he never pretended that he had achieved a high technical ability. He also learned about the vital points in the body in Tang Soo Do, such as: Sa Hyol () (deadly pressure points), Hyi Hyol () (dizzy pressure points), and A Hyoi () (pressure points that impair hearing). He also learned the five factors of techniques, such as: Kyong () (basic values), Kin () (effort and sincerity), Kyong () (wisdom), Kun () (courage and confidence), and Jul () (keen judgment).The above story was according to the monk Myo Ryan Dai Sa.

According to some other stories, Chang Sam Soo learned techniques from Do Ga ()and Pyo Ii Won().In the area of the Myong country, Tae Kin Song Jo sent his people, Ho Yong (), and Mi Sang() to meet Chang Jin In () (Chang Sam Soo’s other name at that time). According to legend, Chang Sam Soo mentioned to them that Joa Do Un Sa(), while training in the deep mountains saw fighting between a magpie and a snake. He studied this and invented techniques of fighting.

These stories, taken from ancient texts, indicate the presence of martial arts practice throughout ancient China.

Okinawa

Okinawa was divided into three parts:Chung San, Nam San , and Buk San, which fought each other for power about 500 years ago. At that time, Sang Pa Ji Wang, (who was called the “Hero”) came from the Chung San district. He unified them as one country. The districts were unified and Okinawa was very peaceful, but only because weapons were not allowed for 200 years. At the period of the Kyon Chang (about 150 years ago) (which was 14 years in Japan), Okinawa was attacked by the Japanese. Simaske was the leader of the Sassma district. Okinawa lost the war and became a Japanese colony. Simaske also would not allow any weapons, so the people practiced Soo Bahk Ki secretly at Soo Ri , Na Ha and Domari. Of course, their practice was done secretly and never came to Simaske’s attention. The author is unable to give more details, because he could not find proper history books concerning these facts; but the place where they used to practice was connected with China; so they learned techniques of the art through the .Chinese mission, Chinese merchants, and visiting teachers.The art was also developed in Do Ma Ri (a section of Okinawa) through the Korean merchants and visitors. They called it Te () (hand) or Do O Te() Kwon Bup().Mr. I Dos () and Mr. Hiasionna () started teaching their arts throughout Okinawa at the turn of the 20th Century.

JAPANThe history of Karate (Soo Bahk) is not long. In Japan, it is said that Jin Won Chan, who lived in the period of the Myong Dynasty, came to Japan to introduce Je Do Bup (the method of making pottery) and also taught Soo Bahk Ki (Karate). It is true that Jin Won Chan went to Japan to introduce methods of making pottery, but the question of introducing Soo Bahk Ki (Karate) during that time has not been verified.

Chinese history mentions that a Chinese man, Mr. Jin, introduced a style of Soo Bahk Ki that was known and taught by Jin’s family in Japan, Man Chi Year (2 years), about 300 years ago. In Japan, it is very probable that present day Karate was started in the Kwan Dong district by Humakoshy, who was Okinawan, in the period of the Dai Jong (11 years), about 50 years ago. In addition, Mr. Maboo Mi, who is also Okinawan, came to Osaka and taught Karate since the period of Seo Hwa (8 years), about 40 years ago. In addition, many people spread their own style and founded schools.

INDIAThe author does not have any historical references or dates concerning the art in India, even though India has one of the longest histories in the world. There was no evidence that showed that the art prospered in India, as in Korea or China. There was one trace of a conditioning exercise in which people put milk on rocks and punched them with their fists, about 2,500 years ago. From this, we can imagine that they practiced Soo Bahk Ki at that time. We haven’t yet found any other special trace of the Indian arts. At the present time, they practice an art which is similar to Soo Bahk KI. In view of this, they might have kept alive their own art up to the present.

SOUTHEAST ASIAThe arts that are similar to Soo Bahk Ki are taught at the present time mostly in Thailand, Burma, Malaysia, Laos, Indonesia and Vietnam. The arts are called “Silat,” and they are indigenous to these countries.

EGYPTEgypt was a highly developed civilization in early times and was part of the foundation of Western civilization as well. But there is no way to find proof of the existence of the art in their early history. In my opinion, they probably didn’t have an interest in the art. Regardless, Oriental and Western cultures grew as the civilization of Egypt started to decay. So we can only guess that there was no real development of the martial arts at that time.

GREECEAbout 2400-2500 years ago when Greece was at its apex of development, the Panguracion games were established. These games were for the people to train themselves and thereby to protect themselves against the many enemies outside of their country. Furthermore, the development of martial arts kept the populace strong, which, in turn, made the country strong. Their system of martial arts was similar to the Oriental Soo Bahk Ki and these skills were used in the games at that time. The contestants would put oil and sand on their bare bodies and they competed in combat with no limitations in their games.The Greeks also competed with certain weapons in their games. Ris Do Ra Dos, who came from the Sision area, was the strongest and most excellent competitor during his time. Later, Hideus, who was born in Doiro, was the best contestant in the 145th game, which was a rough one. There were no limitations in this game except biting and eye gouging. The referee used a leather whip. There are memorial ceramic pots for that event in the British Museum, which show evidence of those games. This was about 2,500 years ago. This was evidence that martial arts existed in the West. The present wrestling or boxing came from these Panguracion games.

ROMEThe author could not find any evidence of a culture of martial arts in the ancient Roman civilization.Other western countries do not record the existence of the martial arts until the present.